Jason Day, Justin Rose taking time off to nurse back injuries

Rose announced he will be taking two months off from competitive golf, as he gets to spend some time away following a busy summer that included the major championships and becoming the first Olympic gold medalist in golf in 112 years. Rose experienced a herniated disc at The Players in May, and he took about a month off to deal with the problem. With the PGA Tour season and the Ryder Cup now in the rear-view mirror, Rose will take off the remainder of the European Tour season. [restrict]

Day has been dealing with back issues for years now, and he faced on en route to victory in March at the WGC-Dell Match Play. However, the world No. 1 had a flare up of the issue during the BMW Championship, the third of four FedEx Cup playoff events, in September, forcing him to withdraw in the final round. Even with a week to recuperate, Day then withdrew from the season-ending Tour Championship with the same back problem.

In response, Day announced he will be skipping the World Cup of Golf with intended partner Adam Scott, as well the Australian Open and a planned charity match with Rory McIlroy in the Philippines.

“I regret that I will be unable to come home to Australia this year,” Day said in a statement. “I was looking forward to playing in the Australian Open and teaming up with Adam Scott on one of my favorite courses Kingston Heath the following week at the World Cup in Melbourne. My plan is to return home to Australia in 2017.”

Day had three PGA Tour wins in the 2015-16 season, earning more than $8 million. [/restrict]